Shadows from the Grave (22 page)

“Why do you need to talk to Chase?” Beth asked. She looked at Gordon. “Have you found something out? Do you know who killed Kiely?”

Gordon steeled himself. “Everyone, this is Detective Greg Hart from Lexington. Chase, I’m sorry, but we need you to come in to answer some questions.” He faced Chase straight on.

“Do you have a warrant?” Ethan asked.

“We have a warrant for Mr. Hudson’s DNA,” Detective Hart said. He handed the paper to Chase, who only glanced at it.

“Excuse me, but why would you need a warrant? And why do you need Chase’s DNA?” Beth asked. She moved to stand in front of Gordon and narrowed her gaze. “Explain. Now.”

Chase sighed and stepped over to his sister. “They’re here because I’m a suspect, Beth.”

Beth shook her head. “No, I don’t think so,” she said. “That’s ridiculous. Gordon, tell him it’s ridiculous. This is some kind of sick joke.”

“I’m afraid I can’t do that, Beth,” Gordon responded. “Chase is right.”

Gordon knew he had shocked her, and her words confirmed that. “I can’t believe this,” she said, her hand going to her chest. “You aren’t serious.” She searched his face, and he saw her disbelief turn to anger. She took two steps, coming to stand toe-to-toe with him. Hands on hips, she stared him down. “What the hell is this about, Gordon? What are you doing?”

“Beth, he’s doing his job,” Ethan said. He placed his hands on her shoulders, but she shrugged him off.

“I want to hear him say it. He needs to explain himself.” She jabbed her finger into Gordon’s chest, causing him to wince. “You have some nerve, buddy. I’m surprised you don’t clang when you walk. This had better be a joke.”

“Damn, Beth, you’ll draw blood if you don’t watch it,” Ethan said.

She turned to him with a glare. “And what’s the matter with you, defending him?” Gordon could see her mouth start to tremble, and he felt lower than pond scum.

“Beth—” Ethan started, clearly upset, but she held up her hand, stopping him.

She turned back to Gordon. “I won’t forget this,” she said, her voice shaking. “After everything we’ve been through… you’d better not let Chase get hurt. Do you understand me? Because if you do, I won’t ever forgive you.”

Gordon gave a short nod, but before he could speak, Chase moved Beth back a few steps. He cupped her face in his hands and made her look at him. “That’s enough, sis. You’re going to say something you can’t take back if you don’t stop now.” He wiped the tears from her cheeks. “Gordon’s doing his job. Don’t blame him for that. And sure as heck don’t blame Ethan, okay?”

Beth protested. “But, Chase—”

Chase shook his head. “No buts,” he said. He pulled her in for a tight hug. “I’ve been expecting this. I need you to pull it together for me. Can you do that?” he asked in a low voice. Beth visibly pulled herself together and, after a minute, she nodded. Chase kissed the top of her head.

“Good girl.” He signaled Ethan, who stepped up behind Beth. When she turned and went straight into his arms, hiding her face against his chest, Chase breathed a sigh of relief. He squeezed Ethan’s shoulder and faced Detective Hart.

“Where are we doing this?” he asked.

“Sheriff Dixon is letting us use one of his interrogation rooms,” Hart answered. “You’re willing to come in, then?”

Chase’s lip curled with derision. “Let’s not pretend I have a choice, Detective. We all know how this particular dance works, and I know why you’re doing this. I just hope the Bledsoes are paying you well.”

Wyatt stepped between the two men and backed Detective Hart down before he could respond to Chase’s jab. “I’d like to suggest we get this over with, gentlemen.” He shot Chase a warning glance.

“Fine,” Chase said. “Am I driving in or riding with you?”

“That’s up to you,” Gordon told him.

Chase gave a brief nod. “Then I’ll ride with you.” He turned to Jason. “You mind calling John and letting him know we’re on our way in? He knows they’re here, but I didn’t know where we were going when I called him.”

When Jason moved to hug him, Gordon saw Chase’s surprise. “Not a problem, brother. We’ll follow you in.”

“You don’t have to do that. You need to get this roof on before it rains again,” Chase said as he started toward the SUV with the others.

Jason followed. “You’re out of your mind if you think we aren’t going to be right there, waiting.”

Chase opened the door behind Gordon’s seat and turned to look at Jason. “It’s probably going to take a few hours, at least. You know that.”

“And your point is?” Jason asked. “We’ll see you at the courthouse.”

Before Chase got inside the vehicle, he glanced to where Annie was standing, her eyes full of worry. They exchanged a thousand unspoken words as their eyes locked for a moment. There was so much he wanted to say, but now was neither the time nor the place. He hoped he would still be a free man when the interrogation was over, and that he would get the chance to talk to her then. He wished he had the courage to go to her, to reassure her everything would be okay, but he didn’t know if she would welcome the attention. Right now, he couldn’t handle her rejection if she didn’t. Chase had to clear his throat to speak. “Jason? One more favor?”

“Sure, name it,” Jason responded without hesitation.

“Keep an eye on Annie for me? If this all goes to hell, she’ll be alone. The killer’s still out there.”

“Brother, that goes without saying. You know I will.” Jason clasped him on the arm, and with no other choice, Chase climbed into the backseat.

~ * * * ~

The ride into town was a tense, quiet affair. Detective Hart tried to start a conversation with Chase a couple of times, but he gave up when Chase simply turned a cool gaze to him and said nothing. Although Chase wanted to believe the detective had stopped trying to engage him because the man wasn’t persistent or determined enough, he knew that was a pipe dream. The man had to have some strong evidence in order to garner Wyatt and Gordon’s support, albeit unhappily given. Based on what Gordon had let slip earlier in the week, he also knew he’d lost his airtight alibi. He just wondered what else the detective had managed to dredge up. He figured he would find out soon enough.

It didn’t take long to reach the courthouse, and once inside, they were greeted by Stacy Kirchner and John Hudson.

John glanced over Chase as if to assure himself his nephew was still in one piece, then turned his attention to Detective Hart. “I hear you want to question my client regarding the murder of Kiely Turner, detective. I’d like to see any warrants you have pertaining to such.”

Detective Hart raised his eyebrows. Lips pursed, he did a quick study of John from head to toe. John obviously hadn’t dressed up to come to the courthouse, as he was attired in clothing very similar to Chase’s own t-shirt and khaki shorts. Chase thought that was probably a deliberate choice on John’s part, an attempt to make the detective underestimate him. It was a trick John could never use with anyone local, since he was usually dressed to the nines, but it was an interesting ploy that Chase almost enjoyed watching.

“Who, exactly, are you?” Detective Hart asked as John returned the perusal.

“I’m Chase’s legal counsel, John Hudson.” He held out his hand to Detective Hart.

The detective’s eyes narrowed as they shook hands. “Well, now, that is interesting,” he said with a snide tone. “I’m a little surprised you lawyered up so quickly, Chase, for someone who proclaims his innocence so much.”

Chase let John handle the remark. “Make no mistake, Detective. My nephew had nothing whatsoever to do with Miss Turner’s death. However, given his profession and what is at stake here, we’re erring on the side of caution. Now, those documents?”

Detective Hart opened his portfolio and handed John the DNA warrant. After a quick glance, he asked for a copy. “Also, I’d like a few minutes with Chase. In private.”

“That’s your copy,” Hart told him.

John looked at Wyatt. “Where do you want us, Sheriff?”

Wyatt gestured to Stacy, who said, “Follow me, gentlemen. I have one of our interrogation rooms ready to go. Is that sufficiently private?”

“That will do nicely, Detective, as long as the video and sound equipment aren’t on while we talk.” he told her. She opened the door and preceded them into the room, double checking the video camera.

“It’s off,” she assured them. “I’ll close the door. Just knock when you’re ready.” With a quick glance over her shoulder to make sure no one was near enough to hear, she wished them luck. As soon as the door closed, Chase let out a hard sigh.

“Have you called your parents?” John asked.

Chase shook his head. “No, I don’t want to worry them unless I don’t have a choice.”

“Good. Let’s hope you don’t have to,” his uncle replied. “Have they read you your rights yet?”

“Not yet. I’m not sure why they haven’t,” he admitted. “Hart tried to strike up a conversation in the car, but I didn’t respond.”

“Tell me everything that’s been said since they arrived,” John ordered. Chase recounted the conversation, and John winced as he heard Beth’s accusations.

“Just how much do you trust this Gordon character?” John asked.

Chase responded immediately. “I trust him with my life. I’ve known Gordon a long time. He plays things close to the vest, but he’s solid.”

“If you’re sure…” Seeing the resolve on Chase’s face, he nodded. “Okay, then. As your attorney, I’m advising you to cooperate as fully as you can. Answer the questions as honestly as you are able to, but don’t volunteer anything.” When he saw the sardonic look on Chase’s face, he held up a cautionary hand. “I know, you know all this. It doesn’t hurt to hear it again, and much like doctors make the worst patients, lawyers make the worst clients. Do you have any problem giving them the DNA sample?”

Chase pulled a chair out from the table and sat down. “No. They only way they’ll find my DNA on anything is if someone else put it there, and frankly, I wouldn’t be surprised if they did. Let’s face it, John, if the Bledsoes go that far, I’m hosed. It won’t matter what we do.”

John sighed and laid a hand on Chase’s shoulder. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. Are you ready?”

“Yeah, I just want to get this over with.”

John went to the door and opened it. “We’re ready,” he told the deputy who’d been stationed outside the room. He returned to the table and sat down, pulling two tablets and pens out of his briefcase. He pushed one to Chase, who smiled. John had an eidetic memory, Chase knew, and didn’t need to take a single note. However, in addition to giving them a method to communicate, it was expected by the others in the room.

“Nice shirt, by the way,” Chase commented. John sent him an arch look as Wyatt walked in with Stacy, Detective Hart close behind them.

Wyatt set three bottles of water on the table and pushed one toward Chase. “You need to keep hydrated. I don’t want you passing out from heat exhaustion on me, Chase.” He picked up the bottle and saluted him with it before taking a long drink.

“Thanks, Sheriff,” John said.

Wyatt nodded. “Detective Kirchner and Detective Hart are going to be conducting this interview,” he announced. “Agent Gordon and I are going to be observing from the other room. I’ll leave you to it.” He left, pulling the door closed behind him, as Stacy moved to turn on the recording equipment. She sat down next to Detective Hart, who had opened his portfolio and was glancing through his notes. He cleared his throat.

“Let’s get started, Mr. Hudson. We have a lot to discuss.”

After Wyatt left the interrogation room, he hurried next door to join Gordon in observation. As he sat down next to the younger man, he studied him. Gordon had taken off his suit jacket and rolled up his sleeves. He was leaning forward in his chair with his elbows resting on his knees. He had his hands, fingers steepled, up near his mouth, and Wyatt thought about asking whether he was praying. Remembering what he’d learned about the man last year, and Gordon’s apparent aversion to God, he decided against it.

“You nervous?” he asked instead.

Gordon sighed and ran his hands through his hair, causing it to stand on end. The calm and composed façade he’d worn since his arrival that morning, in fact since Wyatt had known him, was completely shattered. “No, sir,” he answered. “I’m scared to death. This could all go so very wrong today. I don’t want to see that happen.”